Mike Baird

The Sydney Financial Forum, a First State answer to Victoria’s financial services thought-leadership efforts, hosts its inaugral ‘think tank’ on Thursday April 28, boasting a stellar line-up of speakers including the Treasurer of NSW, Mike Baird.

The Think Tank is a half-day meeting of senior leaders from across the financial services sector.

According to its secretary, Michael Baldwin (who also runs FEAL) the think tank is intended to “stir thought and discussion on significant issues central to the future of Australia’s financial services industry and central to Sydney’s role as the financial services hub of the nation”.

Apart from the NSW Treasurer’s opening address, a highlight will be an address from Dr Susan Thorp, the first-ever chair of finance and superannuation at the University of Technology, Sydney. Baldwin said Thorp would present the first of what’s intended to be an annual piece of research exclusive to the Sydney Financial Forum.

The Forum’s steering committee includes such luminaries as First State Super CEO Michael Dwyer, his chief investment officer Mark Sainsbury, HostPlus trustee and former NSW Opposition Leader Peter Collins, Unions NSW boss Mark Lennon, Asset Super director and UNHCR national director Naomi Steer, and everyone’s favourite contrarian – Jack Gray.

The full program for the event, and registration details, are available at www.sydneyfinancialforum.com.au